As the being in the Garganta drew closer, the pressure it exerted on everyone grew increasingly intense.
Shin said, "It's here!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a Hollow, resembling a human boy, appeared outside the Garganta.
His figure was slender and frail, a stark contrast to his immense Reiatsu. He had pale skin and green eyes, with two dark green tear marks on his face.
'Ulquiorra?'
Shin recognized him at a glance.
—
Soul Society.
"Squad 12 reports Arrancar activity in Karakura Town!"
"One individual, judged to be a complete Arrancar based on its Reiatsu concentration!"
Yamamoto and Chōjirō were listening to the report.
"Immediately notify all Squad Captains to convene a Captain's meeting."
—
Urahara Shop.
"Oh dear. It seems quite the formidable fellow has arrived." Kisuke looked at Yoruichi beside him.
"Let's go. We should take a look too."
...
Ulquiorra Cifer, the 4th Espada of Aizen's Arrancar army. He possessed immense power, capable of using Second Resurrección.
In the original story, he appeared in the Arrancar arc, sent by Aizen to the Human World to observe Ichigo's power.
'He's already here? It can't be for Ichigo. No matter how much he powers up now, he wouldn't stand a chance, especially since he just became a Shinigami.' Shin quickly pondered.
Then he must be here for him, the variable.
He had suspected before that he had entered Aizen's sights. After all, a completely new power, different from Shinigami, Hollows, Quincies, and Fullbringers, would undoubtedly attract Aizen, who sought to transcend the limits of the world.
Sending Ulquiorra could both test Shin's strength and expose him to the Soul Society's attention.
If he couldn't win, he would die.
[Mission Triggered: Defeat Ulquiorra]
[Show Aizen and the Soul Society your strength.]
[Reward: Random Bleach World Item ×1]
"Was it you who eliminated the Gillian with a single strike?" Ulquiorra asked expressionlessly.
"Just lucky. You don't look like an ordinary Hollow. What kind of being are you?" Shin feigned ignorance.
"You needn't know."
Ulquiorra raised his right hand, Reiatsu concentrating in his index finger, forming an emerald green flash.
First Form: Dance!
Flames and Cero collided, erupting with massive energy. The momentum was immense, kicking up a large amount of smoke and dust.
"Kuchiki-san, Ishida, you'd better keep your distance. This guy isn't easy to deal with." Shin said to the two nearby.
Rukia and Uryū carried the unconscious Ichigo away from the battlefield.
Ulquiorra didn't care about the whereabouts of these "trash." He was quite interested in the strange power the guy in front of him was using.
He drew his Zanpakuto, and his figure instantly appeared beside Shin.
Sonído! Equivalent to a Shinigami's Shunpo!
Shin blocked with his sword, feeling the power transmitted through the blade.
He was very glad to have obtained Nietono no Shana. Otherwise, an ordinary sword would be useless in such a battle.
The spectators couldn't even clearly see the actions of the two.
In just a few seconds, they exchanged dozens of blows.
Simple and brutal close-quarters combat.
Ulquiorra didn't intend to use his Resurrección, and Shin likewise didn't want to expose his full strength.
Ulquiorra raised his hand and fired a Cero, incredibly fast.
In everyone's eyes, Shin barely dodged it, and the Cero exploded in the forest behind him, destroying numerous trees.
"That was close. I almost got hit." Shin looked shaken.
"Next, I'm going to get serious."
With that, Shin, sword in hand, rapidly approached Ulquiorra.
Just as he was about to strike, Ulquiorra swung his sword, splitting the Shin in front of him in two. However, no blood flowed from Shin. Instead, he slowly dissipated.
"An illusion?" Ulquiorra immediately prepared to use Sonído to leave the spot.
A flaming katana attacked Ulquiorra from behind.
Pfft—
Nietono no Shana cut through Ulquiorra's Hierro defense, leaving a significant wound.
Shin said with some regret, "What a pity. You dodged it a bit."
He had just used "Fourth Form: Fake Rainbow," creating a realistic afterimage, while his real body attacked from behind.
Although he had no Reiatsu, which Ulquiorra couldn't sense, his battle instincts still made his body react. This strike only managed to injure Ulquiorra.
Ulquiorra's inner thoughts were now far from the calmness on his face.
Most Hollows, after becoming Arrancars, would abandon their high-speed regeneration ability to gain greater offensive power. However, he had retained it.
Except for his internal organs and brain, any other part of his body could regenerate at an extremely fast rate after being damaged. Yet, now his ability was almost ineffective.
He could feel his body's regeneration speed becoming extremely slow.
"Is this your ability? Illusion? Regeneration suppression?" Ulquiorra felt the pain from his body.
But Shin didn't have the habit of sharing his ability information during a fight like anime characters.
He was about to continue fighting when he saw Ulquiorra tear open space with his hand, opening a Garganta.
Ulquiorra didn't want to continue fighting Shin, his objective had been achieved.
"Human, your power is quite good."
With that, Ulquiorra returned to Hueco Mundo through the Garganta.
[Mission complete, received item: Flesh-Healing Medicine]
[Flesh-Healing Medicine: Produced by Kurotsuchi Mayuri, it can instantly regenerate destroyed flesh.]
"Hoo... Hoo..."
Shin collapsed on the ground, panting, as if exhausted.
'Can I really use this thing? Shinigami bodies are made of Reishi.'
Rukia, Uryū, and Ichigo, who had been healed by the arriving Yoruichi, once again had their understanding of his strength refreshed.
But Kisuke felt that Shin hadn't used his full power.
An Arrancar is strong, but without activating Resurrección, their strength is limited.
—
Soul Society, Captain's Meeting Room.
All Captains of the Gotei 13 were gathered there. They had just observed Shin's and Ulquiorra's battle using the technology of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute.
Yamamoto asked, "What do you all think about this human?"
"This human has no Reiatsu at all, yet he can unleash such power, his strength is very interesting." Mayuri was clearly very interested in Shin.
Ukitake spoke, "We should first investigate him and then determine his attitude towards Soul Society."
"Let me go to the Human World and fight him." Zaraki laughed loudly.
Thump!
Yamamoto heavily struck his cane, looking at everyone.
"Order: Captain Soi Fon of Squad 2 shall proceed to the Human World for investigation without the application of a 'Limiter.'"
"Captain Hitsugaya Toshiro of Squad 10 shall proceed to the Senkaimon, ready to provide support at any time."
Clearly, if Shin's existence was a threat to Soul Society, he would face the attacks of at least two Captain-level Shinigami.
—
Shin looked at the approaching crowd, and his eyes suddenly lit up.
"Miss, I feel like I know you."